About
Tortoise Group is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education, advocacy, and protection of the Mojave Desert Tortoise in Nevada. With an estimated 150,000+ captive tortoises in Clark County alone, the organization tackles serious issues around backyard breeding, overpopulation, and improper care. Their services span a wide range: a tortoise adoption program, a legal registration system (RLAP – Register to Legally Adopt Pet Tortoise), a 24/7 hotline, yard consultations, and a lost-and-found network for displaced tortoises. Community programs include microchipping clinics, sterilization clinics, and master care workshops. They publish in-depth care guides covering habitats, diet, brumation (hibernation), health checks, and hatchling care. The organization also promotes the ROaDS App, a citizen science data collection tool available for mobile devices. Under Nevada law, all desert tortoises are considered wildlife and custodians — not owners — are responsible for their care. Tortoise Group also provides a Planned Giving program (Golden Tortoise Society) to ensure tortoises are rehomed after a custodian's passing. Ideal for Nevada residents, desert tortoise custodians, educators, wildlife advocates, and citizen scientists interested in supporting tortoise conservation.
Key Features
- Tortoise Adoption Program: Facilitates the legal adoption of captive Mojave Desert Tortoises, including a Register to Legally Adopt Pet Tortoise (RLAP) process.
- Sterilization & Microchipping Clinics: Hosts community clinics to spay/neuter tortoises and microchip them for tracking, helping control overpopulation.
- Comprehensive Care Library: Provides in-depth guides on habitats, food plants, brumation, health checks, hatchling care, and safe tortoise transport.
- ROaDS Citizen Science App: A mobile app allowing community members to collect and submit tortoise observation data as citizen scientists.
- Lost, Found & Rehoming Network: Operates a community lost-and-found registry and rehoming program for displaced or unwanted desert tortoises.
Use Cases
- Nevada residents who legally possess a desert tortoise and need registration, care guidance, or veterinary referrals.
- People who have found a stray or abandoned desert tortoise and need help with proper placement or legal reporting.
- Educators and classroom coordinators seeking information on the appropriateness of desert tortoises as classroom animals.
- Citizen scientists who want to contribute tortoise observation data via the ROaDS mobile app.
- Tortoise custodians looking to spay, neuter, or microchip their tortoise through community clinic events.
Pros
- Free Community Services: Most services — including the hotline, care guides, adoption support, and educational resources — are available at no cost.
- Comprehensive Educational Resources: Detailed, expert-backed care sheets, newsletters, videos, and guides covering every aspect of desert tortoise ownership.
- Planned Giving Program: The Golden Tortoise Society gives custodians peace of mind that their tortoise will be cared for after their passing.
Cons
- Nevada-Focused Scope: Services and legal guidance are primarily relevant to Nevada residents and may not apply to tortoise custodians in other states.
- No Longer Accepts General Public Surrenders: Tortoise Group has stopped accepting tortoises from the general public, limiting rehoming options for non-members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally own a Mojave Desert Tortoise in Nevada?
Under Nevada law, all desert tortoises are considered wildlife and belong to the people of Nevada. You can legally possess one as a custodian by registering through Tortoise Group's RLAP (Register to Legally Adopt Pet Tortoise) program.
What should I do if I find a desert tortoise?
Visit Tortoise Group's lost-and-found site or rehoming site. Do not attempt to release it into the wild or keep it without legal registration.
Does Tortoise Group accept tortoise surrenders?
Tortoise Group no longer accepts tortoises from the general public. Current members may request rehoming assistance, and the organization tries to honor those requests where possible.
What is the ROaDS App?
ROaDS is a citizen science mobile app that allows community members to collect and submit field data about desert tortoises, contributing to conservation research.
What is the Golden Tortoise Society?
It's Tortoise Group's planned giving program. GTS members can ensure their tortoise is moved to the top of the rehoming list following the custodian's death, guaranteeing the animal will be properly cared for.
